Copy sheet stripping device

Claim 2

A copy sheet stripping device for use with an electrophotographic apparatus of the type comprising a movable member adapted to carry an intermediate image thereon and move through a transfer-printing station where the intermediate image is printed on a copy sheet by transfer-printing, such device comprising: a. sheet pick-off claw means disposed in a sheet stripping station for picking off from said movable member the copy sheet on which the intermediate image has been printed; b. sheet pick-off claw means control means for moving said sheet pick-off claw means to a sheet pick-off position before the leading end of the copy sheet reaches the sheet stripping station so that the copy sheet may be stripped off the movable member, said control means comprising a rotatable cam and a pick-off claw means control member adapted to be moved in pivotable motion by said cam after the lapse of a predetermined time interval; and c. sheet detection means disposed in the path of movement of the copy sheet for detecting the presence of the copy sheet and actuating said sheet pick-off claw means control means as the copy sheet moves along the path of its movement, said sheet detection means comprising a lever having one end extending into the path of movement of the copy sheet and another end positioned against said rotatable cam for controlling cam rotation by the pivotable movement of said lever.

Claim 3

A copy sheet stripping device for use with an electrophotographic apparatus of the type comprising a movable member adapted to carry an intermediAte image thereon and move through a transfer-printing station where the intermediate image is printed on a copy sheet by transfer-printing, said device comprising: a. sheet pick-off claw means disposed in a sheet stripping station for picking off from said movable member the copy sheet on which the intermediate image has been printed, said claw means comprising: i. a plurality of claw members, each having a free end formed in sawtooth fashion; ii. means for supporting each of said claw members for individual pivotal movement about a common axis; and iii. means for urging said claw members in pivotal movement about said common axis toward their respective sheet pick-off positions whereat the leading end of the transfer-printed copy sheet on the movable member is received in one of the valleys of the sawteeth on each of the claw members so as to move said claw members in pivotal motion against the action of said urging means; b. cam means for normally inhibiting said claw members from assuming their sheet pick-off positions until immediately before the leading end of the copy sheet reaches the sheet stripping station and for thereupon releasing said claw members to permit them to assume their sheet pick-off positions so that the copy sheet may be stripped off the movable member, said cam means comprising: i. a rotatable cam; and ii. drive means for rotating said cam through a frictional force at a predetermined rate; c. means for locking said rotatable cam in a predetermined angular position against the action of said frictional force; d. sheet detection means, including an actuator disposed in the path of movement of the copy sheet at a position before the sheet stripping station, for producing a detection signal when said actuator is engaged and pushed by the leading end of the copy sheet; and e. means for actuating said locking means in response to said detection signal to release said rotatable cam thereby permitting said claw members to assume their respective sheet pick-off positions.

Claim 4

A copy sheet stripping device for use with an electrophotographic apparatus of the type comprising a movable member adapted to carry an intermediAte image thereon and move through a transfer-printing station where the intermediate image is printed on a copy sheet by transfer-printing, said device comprising: a. sheet pick-off claw means disposed in a sheet stripping station for picking off from said movable member the copy sheet on which the intermediate image has been printed, said claw means comprising: i. a plurality of claw members, each having a free end formed in sawtooth fashion; ii. means for supporting each of said claw members for individual pivotal movement about a common axis; and iii. means for urging said claw members in pivotal movement about said common axis toward their respective sheet pick-off positions whereat the leading end of the transfer-printed copy sheet on the movable member is received in one of the valleys of the sawteeth on each of the claw members so as to move said claw members in pivotal motion against the action of said urging means; b. cam means for normally inhibiting said claw members from assuming their sheet pick-off positions until immediately before the leading end of the copy sheet reaches the sheet stripping station and for thereupon releasing said claw members to permit them to assume their sheet pick-off positions so that the copy sheet may be stripped off the movable member, said cam means comprising: i. a rotatable cam; and ii. drive means for rotating said cam through a frictional force at a predetermined rate; c. means for locking said rotatable cam in a predetermined angular position against the action of said frictional force; d. sheet detection means, including an actuator disposed in the path of movement of the copy sheet at a position before the sheet stripping station, for producing a detection signal when said actuator is engaged and pushed by the leading end of the copy sheet; and e. means for actuating said locking means in response to said detection signal to release said rotatable cam thereby permitting said claw members to assume their respective sheet pick-off positions.

Claim 5

A copy sheet stripping device according to claim 2 wherein said cam means further comprises an actuation member adapted to be moved in pivotal motion by said rotatable cam for allowing said claw members to assume their sheet pick-off positions, and said actuating means comprises a solenoid adapted to be energized upon receipt of said detection signal.

Claim 6

A copy sheet stripping device according to claim 2 further comprising timer means connected to said sheet detection means, sheet jam detection means disposed in the vicinity of the sheet stripping station, and sheet jam warning means connected to said timer means.